Pedestrians older than 60 in Fairfield County face more than three times the risk of being struck and killed by a car than younger state residents, according to a new analysis of federal highway accident data.

Using federal National Highway Traffic Administration figures, the analysis released last week found that 31 out of the 75 pedestrian deaths in 14 cities and towns in Fairfield County from 2003 and 2012 were people over the age of 60, a disproportionate number relative to the 18.2 percent of the county's population made up of residents 60 or older, according to the analysis.

After three pedestrian deaths of people close to or older than 60 in 2014, as well as a string of other accidents, lawmakers and transit advocates said the numbers underscore a pressing need for a "Complete Streets" ordinance -- a type of legislation that requires cities to dedicate money to revamp street crossings to protect all pedestrians and bicyclists.

In Stamford, four of the eight accidents from 2005 through 2009 in that time involved victims older than 60, according to federal statistics. The analysis was conducted by the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a New York City-based group that advocates for reduced automobile use and more pedestrian amenities.

City Rep. David Kooris,co-chairman of the Board of Representatives' Land Use Committee, said he will propose an ordinance next month to require city engineers to include pedestrian-friendly design components such as shortened crossing distances, longer signal times and other changes to improve safety.

"I'm not surprised, and I think for Connecticut this is going to be an increasingly important issues as the state continues to age and our community members are less able to drive but want to continue to live in their communities," Kooris said of the analysis.

Dead on the streets

In July, 58-year-old Janice Pielert was struck and killed by a car as she crossed Hoyt Street, the second pedestrian fatality in the city within two months. The first occurred on May 30 when a 65-year-old retired public school teacher named Carmine Passero was struck and killed by a man pulling out of a driveway on Strawberry Hill Avenue near where Passero lived. In April, 70-year-old Maria Gonzalez was run down while crossing Woodland Avenue.

The driver in that case was brought up on second-degree manslaughter and fleeing the scene of an accident, among other charges.

Neither of the drivers involved in the other deaths has been criminally charged.

"I feel safe in saying in both cases the pedestrian did nothing wrong," Gallagher said.

Revamp crosswalks

The group's analysis concluded that Connecticut along with New York and New Jersey should increase dedicated funding to revamp crosswalks in areas with a large number of senior citizens and transit stops and recommended state cities and towns adopt Complete Street ordinances to emphasize pedestrian-friendly design.

"Only New Haven has a Complete Streets policy or ordinance and we'd like to see more communities in Connecticut follow suit," said Joseph Cutrufo, Connecticut advocate for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

The great majority of pedestrian deaths and injuries, however, result from victims crossing outside the crosswalk, disobeying a signal or otherwise disregarding safety, Nursick said.

"The failures of most users to obey the most basic of those laws ... is the driving force behind the vast majority of all crashes and incidents involving motorists, pedestrians and cyclists," Nursick said.

Jerry Silber, head of People Friendly Stamford, a pedestrian and bicycling safety group in the city, compared Stamford's lack of a Complete Streets style policies unfavorably to New York City and New Haven, where he said better amenities seem to be improving safety.

"Stamford was really designed and built to support the flow of automobiles and it is about time we recognize there are pedestrians and bicyclists who need and want to be able to enjoy our streets as much as automobiles," Silber said.